while you are away so I trust darling that it will cause you to come back the sooner. Mr McDonald told me that he wished you to go on to Rangitikei but that you said you could not on my account. You are a darling husband. I love you more than ever for that. I am afraid what I told you I suspected is true but perhaps it is as well that it is so. You need not fear that I have forgotten my promise the day before you left. God bless you my own dearest husband and believe me ever your affectionate and devoted wife Susan D McLean You are an old plague. You have not left me a good pen in the house. The one I am writing with is more like a pin than a pen. You stole all the black ones, also I had to send to Mrs Kirton for some.